# Clinical Assessment of the Ambu® Aura-i™ as an Independent Ventilatory Device and Conduit for Fiberoptic-Guided Endotracheal Intubation in Adults

## TL;DR

This study evaluates a new airway device for ventilation and guiding intubation, finding it effective and easy to use in clinical settings.

## Contribution

The study introduces and clinically validates the Ambu® Aura-i™ as a novel, MRI-compatible, phthalate-free supraglottic airway device for fiberoptic-guided intubation.

## Key findings

- The Ambu® Aura-i™ insertion and fiberoptic-guided intubation times were similar across groups, indicating consistent performance.
- The device was rated as easy to insert and use in the majority of cases, with high success rates observed.
- The device's MRI compatibility and phthalate-free design make it suitable for a wide range of clinical scenarios.

## Abstract

Background and aim

A novel supraglottic airway device of the second generation is the Ambu® Aura-i™. It is designed to accommodate standard cuffed tracheal tubes and is phthalate-free and compatible with MRI. The primary objectives of the research were to examine the properties and efficiency of Ambu® Aura-i™ as a means of enabling fiberoptic-guided intubation, the view of the glottis during fiber optic examination, the duration of intubation in fiber optic bronchoscopy, the ease of intubation, the success rate of intubation, and the duration for device removal from the tracheal tube.

Methodology

A hospital-based descriptive observational study was conducted with 80 patients. An adequately sized Ambu® Aura-i™ was placed after general anesthesia was induced. Following a fiberoptic examination of the view of the glottis through the Ambu® Aura-i™, the trachea was intubated under fiberoptic guidance. The Ambu® Aura-i™ insertion time, glottic view grading, ease of intubation, and time required for fiberoptic-guided intubation were recorded. Also, the time taken to remove the Ambu® Aura-i™ was documented.

Results

Similar levels of ease were experienced by both groups after inserting the Ambu® Aura-i™, being easy in both group 1 (37/40) and in group 2 (38/40). In group 1, the average time taken to insert the Ambu® Aura-i™ was 13.53±1.91 seconds, while in group 2, it was 13.98±2.4 seconds. The average time required for fiberoptic-guided intubation was found to be 14.95±1.85 seconds in group 1 and 14.15±1.37 seconds in group 2, indicating a statistically negligible variation.

Conclusion

The low cost of Ambu® Aura-i™, size suitability and availability for almost all age groups, compatibility with MRI machines, and availability in phthalate-free versions contribute to it being a more appealing and useful ventilatory device, as well as an intubation tool for both normal and emergency airway management.